Israel's Kadima to elect new head

by Sanjay Jha | September 16, 2008 at 09:39 pm

96 views | 0 Recommendations | 0 comments

After Ehud Olmert resignation from the premiership Kadima primary will elect a new Premier but it now appears increasingly unlikely that new leader will be able to form a new coalition. There is possibility that current Premier might continue as a caretaker government holding power until after a spring 2009 general election - unless, that is, he is indicted before then.

Israel's governing Kadima party is due to hold elections to replace Prime Minister Ehud Olmert as leader.

The front-runners to succeed him are Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz.

Mr Olmert, who denies corruption claims, has said he will step down as PM after his successor is chosen.

But he may stay on as caretaker prime minister until a new coalition government is formed, which could take weeks or even months.

Ms Livni's supporters hope she will breathe new life into a political establishment mired in sleaze and dominated by ageing, male, former military figures, says the BBC's Heather Sharp in Jerusalem.

But the former Mossad spy is widely criticised for her lack of political experience.